Our all-church Christmas Caroling is Sunday evening, December 21. We will meet in the Swiss Village auditorium at 6pm to divide into groups. Some will go to Envive and to homebound members. Others will stay at Swiss Village. All will return to the auditorium for cookies after! ALL ARE WELCOME! 

PBS Fort Wayne is airing a one-hour Christmas special of Handel's Messiah performed by The Mennonite Choral Society. Directed by Brent Hyman, this presentation was recorded at the First Mennonite Church of Berne in December 2024 and features a talented lineup of solists, musicians, and choir. Be sure to tune in to Channel 39.1 on Wednesday, December 24 at 8:00 p.m. and/or to Channel 39.4 on Christmas Day, December 25 at 12 noon. "Glory to God in the Highest!"

Join us in celebrating the birth of our Savior! We'll be holding a candlelight communion service on Christmas Eve, starting at 10:00 p.m. Come early and enjoy a special musical prelude, beginning at 9:30.

Year-End Reports: Treasurers of Sunday School classes, Chancel Choir, Mennonite Choral Society, please turn in your year-end reports by Wednesday, Dec. 31. 

Offering Envelopes Reminder: Don’t forget to pick up your offering envelopes for the new year on the table by the office. If you would like to begin using the envelope system in 2026, you may contact the office. Annual Business Meeting Reports: Year-end reports for Ministries Council, Spiritual Guidance Cabinet, Stewardship/Facilities (Trustees), Adult Ministries Committee, Endowment Board of Trustees, Care Commission, Disciple Commission, Witness Commission, Worship Commission, and pastors are due to the church office no later than Wednesday, Dec 31. 

Children’s Ministries WINTER VOLUNTEERS: We have these openings this winter: Preschool Children’s Church (crafts once a month); 4th/5th grade Sunday School (once a month); and K-2 Wednesday night teacher (every week for the quarter); and NEW: Wednesday baby/toddler nursery volunteers.. Please contact Chris Hyman at chris@firstmennonite.org or call her at (260) 525-9967. You may also use the church app to let us know of your interest!

Advent Activities: Check out the Family Resource wall for a couple of Advent activities available now! Advent begins next Sunday, November 30.

Christmas Party: The Youth Christmas party is Wednesday, December17. Please bring a gift for the gift exchange ($10 maximum). 

Ski Trip: Join us on Saturday, January 24, as we experience Midnight Madness at Mad River Mountain, located in central Ohio. Please sign up in the Youth room. 

Winter Retreat: The Youth Winter Retreat is scheduled for January 30-February 1, 2026. Please sign up with the QR code in the Youth room.

Please continue to pray for our missionaries (prayer request sheets are on the table in the foyer). This is also a good time for each of us to send an email or card to any of our missionaries letting them know you are remembering them. This will be especially appreciated as the Christmas season approaches, and many are away from family. Prayer support is vital.

Don't miss the opportunity to fellowship and grow with our church family. Take a look at the schedule below. You will find something for everyone!

SUNDAY - DECEMBER 14

• 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
• 10:00 a.m. "Joy": Pastor Jeff Linthicum
• 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. "Night in Bethlehem"
  

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 16

• 6:30 p.m. Sunshine Hour (not on livestream; listen on scanner)

“Journeying through Grief” is a grief support class to help and encourage those on their grief journey. We will be discussing helpful ways to make it through special occasions and also the holidays that are coming up. We will also look at the four seasons of grief, as well as road blocks and detours one might experience along the way. The eight-week class will begin Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 2 in the lower level. The class will be led by Marcia & Jamie Cressman.  

Mark your calendars! The MCC meat canner will be here at First Mennonite on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24, 2026. Also, the Meat Canner Committee is looking for housing for two canner boys during their stay in Berne. The canner boys will be in town from Thursday, January 22, to Monday, January 26, 2026. For more information, please contact Paul Bluhm at (260) 223-2142.

Contribute to the needs of our community by participating in Project Share. You can place your donations on the table in the foyer or in the box inside the east entrance of the church.  Suggestions for each month are listed below, but all donations are appreciated.

• January - Cereal & Baby Food
• February - Monetary Donations
• March - Vegetables
• April - Boxed/Pouched Side Dishes
• May - Cake, Brownie, Muffin Mixes
• June - Paper Products
• July - Personal Hygiene Products
• August - Feminine Hygiene Products
• September - Canned Meat
• October - Soups
• November - Pasta
• December - Beans

Did you know that you can receive weekly parenting tips, videos, and devotion ideas right to your phone? If you would like to sign up for this, please text the following: @fmcpare to the number 81010 and request to be part of our Biblical Parenting thread. 

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